Suzi Ring

May 17, 2012 | International Edition

Slaughter and May and Allen & Overy (A&O) have won lead roles to advise on the £1.4bn refinancing of UK travel giant Thomas Cook.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 17, 2012 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner's (BLP's) former chairman Peter Robinson (pictured) is set to take up an in-house secondment with Tesco in Shanghai before relocating to Beijing later this year to launch a new office for the firm, it has emerged.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 17, 2012 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has officially launched its much-touted contract lawyer initiative, which will see the firm draw on its 3,500-strong pool of former fee earners for additional staffing during busy periods.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

May 16, 2012 | International Edition

News International (NI) has spent more than £53m on its investigation into phone-hacking at the company since last summer, with the majority used to pay legal and professional fees. The figure is contained within NI's accounts, recently filed on Companies House, which detail the company's expenses during the 10 months since the closure of the News of the World.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 16, 2012 | International Edition

Travers Smith has announced its annual partner promotions with eight new lawyers added to the top rank, including the promotion of a part-time lawyer for the second consecutive year. The round will see seven lawyers added to the firm's partnership in London, with one associate made up in Travers' sole international base in Paris.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 16, 2012 | International Edition

High Court judge Sir Paul Coleridge has come under scrutiny over comments made at the launch of his new pro-marriage charity, with the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) handed an official complaint on the matter. Coleridge launched the Marriage Foundation on 1 May this year in an effort to "increase the rate of marriage and reduce the rate of divorce".

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 15, 2012 | International Edition

Dewey & LeBoeuf's Italian arm is rebranding under the name of Italian corporate heavyweight Vittorio Grimaldi, following a vote by the firm's Italy partners confirming the hire of the high-profile former Clifford Chance (CC) lawyer. Dewey's two Italy offices in Rome and Milan have opted to take on Grimaldi's name after deciding to separate from the faltering US firm and operate as a standalone outfit last week.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 14, 2012 | International Edition

The Law Society has called off a conference that was set to debate gay marriage at its headquarters this month due to a conflict with the society's "role in promoting diversity." The event, set up by US organisation World Congress of Families in partnership with UK lobbying group Christian Concern, was set to be held at the Law Society's London base next Wednesday (23 May).

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

May 14, 2012 | International Edition

Berrymans Lace Mawer has announced its partner promotions with the insurance litigation firm making up nine new partners, including two in the City. The remaining seven promotions are spread across Berrymans' Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester offices, with Leeds gaining one new partner, Birmingham adding two and Manchester securing the bulk of the new partners with four promotions

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 11, 2012 | International Edition

Maura McGowan QC has been elected as the Bar Council's next chairman, with the criminal silk set to succeed current chair Michael Todd QC of Erskine Chambers at the end of the year. McGowan, who is currently vice chairman, was elected in an uncontested vote. She will take up the new role on 1 January next year.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read